Ajith Kumar, widely considered to be one of Tamil cinema’s biggest box office draws, turns 53 today (May 1). The mass hero, who has been an integral part of the industry for over three decades, enjoys a huge fan following because of his stylish screen presence and engaging performances. He also maintains a low profile in personal life, which has added to his popularity. On his special day, here is a look at 7 of his finest films.
‘Valee’ (1999)
The psychological romantic-thriller featured Ajith in two distinct roles and gave him the opportunity to showcase his abilities. His portrayal of the lustful Deva in particular was one of the film’s biggest highlights. Directed by SJ Suryah, Valee emerged as a massive success.
‘Dheena’ (2001)
AR Murugadoss’ action drama helped Ajith add a new dimension to his career and emerge as a mass hero. Dheena is best remembered for the iconic market fight scene that worked because of the star’s effortless swag. The film helped him earn the title of ‘Thala’.
‘Billa’ (2007)
A remake Amitabh Bachchan’s Don, Billa featured Ajith in a double role and proved to be a treat for the masses. AK’s magnetic screen presence and the intriguing screenplay helped the film emerge as a success. Directed by Vishnuvardhan, it starred Nayanthara as the leading lady and gave her scope to impress fans with her bold looks
‘Mankatha’ (2011)
Ajith essayed a grey character in Mankatha, a riveting thriller about betting in cricket. The mass hero’s salt-n-pepper look became a rage among fans and helped him reinvent himself. Venkat Prabhu’s film had an ensemble cast that included Arjun Sarja, Trisha, and Raai Laxmi.
‘Veeram’ ( 2015)
Veeram, Ajith’s first film with director ‘Siruthai’ Siva, was an action-packed rural drama that featured the star as a man of the masses who hates the idea of marriage. The film had everything, right from action to romance, that once expects from a commercial entertainer. A massive success, it was remade in multiple languages.
‘Vedalam'( 2014)
The emotional yet entertaining tale about the both between a taxi driver and his ‘sister’. The film featured a mix of emotional scenes and action sequence. Its ‘transformation scene became a rage and served as proof of Ajith’s rage as a performer.
‘Nerkonda Paarvaai’ (2019)
An adaptation of Amitabh Bachchan’s Pink, the courtroom drame featured Ajith in the role of a lawyer who fights for the rights of three women after they land in trouble. The film highlighted the importance of consent and featured several intense court sequences. It is best remembered for its take on the unforgettable ‘no means no’ dialogue. The film’s cast included Shraddha Srinath, Andrea Tariang, and Rangaraj Pandey.